2010 Canola acres

[countryguy]

That's it. I've had enough. Going to work and the farm is getting chopped in half. What's left is going to be solely contract production of specialty crops that there is actually a demand for and no way to steal it from me. This means 0 (ZERO!!!!!) acres of canola going into my ground next year or possibly ever again. Just plain sick of this crop.The bombarding radio ads,the harrassing to buy seed,the stupidly high input dollars and amount of risk involved,and now LEGALIZED THEFT!!!! Sick of it all.Bye bye canola.End of rant.

[oneoff]

There's a lot of truth in what you say; and you are not alone in making plans for some drastic farm changes. Surely it is not sustainable to sell production for the same (or less) than it will cost to replace it next year. Mother Nature also has enough twists to make it clear you shouldn't count on above average yields; and the market place is becoming even more cruel and unfair to any farmer.

[Hopperbin]

Interesting as to what contract crops produce better than Canola. When I calculate I don't calculate dollars per acre but actual profit per acre. In the 13 years since I took over from dad as manager canola has won hands down every year well compared to wheat, barley or malt, and flax. So we have one year that canola is still in the field are we to think to stop planting canola? Country guy you have planted wheat probably every year at a dollar per acre profit discount to canola and you keep on with it. Sure canola is costing more to plant and grow and for sure if I don't get my canola off it will make a big determining factor in how much I plant next year because without the canola sales I am ****ed. OOps. And you are also. I think what you are saying is your going to plant a crop with less inputs and also less gross revenue and less net income.

[Ron]

I may fallow half my acres, let rented land go, or rent out for spuds. I am not sure yet but I know I make way more money off farm with way less stress. I am tired of only having time off when it rains.
But if I crop anything it will be canola. Drop all cereals with no regrets, an average canola crop nets more than a good CWB crop every year.

SCREW THE CWB

[sumdumguy]

What's going on, Countryguy?

[dfarms11]

when I first started farming, it was a toss up what we could make more money on. For a few years there, we only put in maybe 10% canola. At the time canola was $6 and 20 bu crops, it all seemmed pointless. Especially when they recommended at least a 4 year rotation. But I would say since prices and yields have came up(most noteably yields), canola has been the money maker on our farm hands down. Even the last few years, we have at least turned a profit on our canola(except this year!) whereas we have went backwards on our wheat.

[countryguy]

I guess I should have been a little clearer with my last post. It does pertain to all commodity crops but canola in particular had me a little irritated that day.LOL.
I am tired of growing commodity crops.There are way to many fingers in the pie and too much bullshit market manipulation going on like the latest antics from China.I am too young to have this many grey hairs.The acres I usually have in these crops are getting dropped and being replaced by a gov't paycheck.
Believe it or not Hopper there are alot of crops that I regularily grow that net out better than canola without the high input costs,risk,and marketing bullshit.They may not be the easiest things to grow but you get rewarded for it well in the end.Do a little research.It pays to think outside the box sometimes.

[charliep]

For what its worth.

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